Salfit: Israeli colonists on Wednesday established mobile homes on the lands of Burqin town, located west of the occupied West Bank city of Salfit, a development confirmed by a local source. Mayor of Buriqin, Faed Sabra, reported that the colonists, under the protection of the Israeli army, erected makeshift houses on the villagers' lands. This action occurred just days after the groundwork was laid, which involved razing the lands and uprooting trees.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Mayor Sabra views this as part of Israel's broader agenda to seize Palestinian-owned land for the construction of colonies. Salfit Governor, Mustafa Taqatqa, criticized this move, describing it as part of the colonists' strategy, with direct support from the occupation authorities, to annex Palestinian land in contravention of international law.
The violence by colonists against Palestinians and their property is a frequent occurrence in the West Bank and is seldom prosecuted by Israeli authorities. Such violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among other incidents.
Currently, approximately 1 million Israeli colonists reside in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, actions that are deemed violations of international law.
